They may not be available for sale yet, but Google would like you to know that the future is coming. Dubbed "Project Glass", Google has released some photos of what the now-confirmed Google Glasses might look like when released, alongside a video demonstrating how the UI might work. It's all just show and no tell right now, but it's enough to whet our appetite.

It's not quite enough, though, to allay our reservations. For starters, the glasses, while not particularly gaudy and actually somewhat stylish, seem to only have one tiny lens hovering over a small portion of the right eye. It's unclear how this is supposed to work. The video demonstrates an obviously-simulated UI that encompasses the entire field of vision, but the prototype glasses seem to be incapable of displaying such a UI.

It's worth noting that one of the engineers on Project Glass has a history with eye-based displays. Babak Parvis, an associate professor at the University of Washington, previously worked on a project that brought a single pixel display to contact lenses. Google's going to need more than a single pixel for its displays, but who knows? Maybe this team is exactly what is needed to bring an entirely glasses-free heads-up display to the world. Though, we're likely a long ways away from that technology.

Still, these aren't necessarily what Google will release. The Google+ post announcing Project Glass even specifically states that Google is looking for input from you, the lovely loyal users. While Google isn't exactly a stranger to user feedback, this is a pretty big opportunity to weigh in on what could be, if implemented properly, a whole new market of devices.

So what do you think? Too weird looking? Prefer contact lenses? Wouldn't be caught dead with any heads-up display on your face? Sound off in the comments. Then be sure to let Google know what your thoughts are as well.

Comments

Merge these into any pair of Oakley sunglasses I own or would own and I'd buy it.... This is definitely the future and Siri or any of that iThing garbage has nothing on this!

Kam

GoogleX Project Glass, Android and Majel all wrapped together will make an awesome future

Simon Belmont

Agreed. Although, I'll just be happy when the Majel part shows up in a few months.

I hope we'll see a preview during Google I/O 2012. *Keeps fingers crossed*

mplsguy1979

It's hard to see how the user would summon the UI -- maybe by looking at the glasses themselves? And tight integration with Google+ only might prove problematic. Not to mention I see potentially huuuuge privacy and user tracking issues. Imagine the collective fit if Google puts ads on the system, based on where a user is or what they are looking at.

But all that being said, I am extremely excited about this project, and if it works, I think it could be a potential game changer. I'm planning on being one of the folks standing on line (or...on the site where Google sells the glasses) to purchase these like a good fanboy.

ABTBenjamins

Garbage privacy argument. Do you use an Android phone? Does your android phone constantly slam you with ads targettig your surroundings? Same b/s Google hate. Google has plenty of revenue sources in ad space. As a tech company, why is it such an impossible idea that maybe, just maybe, Google wants to broaden their portfolio?*GASP*

krzystoff

I disagree -- current devices use augmented reality as a simple gimmick / app that extends the features of the device. this technology takes AR to the next level and beyond by seamlessly making AR an immersive dimension of the experience, thus opening up the opportunities for corporates / advertisers / hackers / authorities / etc to exploit the added information and the method of delivery.
for example, if you look at the average web browser, you can disable ads only by downloading addons, but flash stepped beyond the text and image ads to animated, even out of browser content, that adblockers have to work much harder to identify and block, while showing you the content you actually want. also, computer games and films are increasingly placing product and advertising spaces within their content, that becomes a seamless part of the experience. so how would you go about blocking ads from this technology once the avenues for placing them become open? it is up to Google to develop this in a way that restricts that kind of use, but their commercial intent will likely overrule the ethical.
that said, this looks potentially brilliant, (leaving aside the Geordi La Forge visor styling); I believe this could be the biggest change in technology since the Walkman and the cordless phone.

Niggo

The concept is really interessting. My biggest concern is that, in order to work, this thing has to stream images and video over a mobile data network. That will be problematic with limited data plans and also battery life. The other thing is navigating the UI. I don't think I want to talk to my glasses all the time. They might need to figure out a better way, perhaps eyeball movement or something, IDK.

Other than that, I'm all for it! I hope they don't want to put ads in my view though!

Mark Boyle

Apple will file a lawsuit based on a patent from 1832 that copyrights the usage of eyes for viewing things

Ken

I agree with what most say...putting ads in this would completely ruin it, and the extremely limited data plans out there will render these things unfortunately useless unless you're willing to shell out tons of money for both a smartphone AND SmartGlasses (or whatever they'll be called). I think it would be cool if they were just a heads-up-display that linked to your phone - just like a bluetooth headset allows you to hear your phone without holding it, this should allow you to see your phone without holding it. It would allow for only one data plan, save battery life, and encourage the purchase of Android devices!

David Lee

I see a lot of (stupid) users driving into ditches or walking into traffic with these. They need a common sense algorithm to gauge if a person is smart enough to use the outside.

Icefreez

I thought the same thing. So many people walking into poles and breaking their expensive glasses.

Hary Ayala

I'd slap one of those on my face anyday!

Duskywolf

That's cool but I can't use those device because I am deaf so I can speak very well which my concern about how we fit in that kind of technology in future so hope google recogize this. Thanks.

Denbo

I would imagine that eye controlled computer interaction will be the next step in this so that speaking isn't necessary.

This is the coolest thing I have ever seen. My only reservations are that the most Augmented Reality apps pitch make the exact same claim with exactly the same video demonstrations. And from my experience, those Augmented Reality apps were FAR-FETCHED from reality because about 80% of the time the thing was slow and choppy and had limited information available. If Google can somehow manage to produce a QUALITY and nearly perfect product then I will be more than happy to buy it.

Arthur Mendes

Would definetly buy them!!!

me

What if I wear glasses already? Its annoying to wear 3d glasses on top of my prescription glasses. Wonder how this will work or if we can buy it all integrated.

user

Put these into some nice Oakley's and drive around with a Google navigation heads up display! Awesome

Ben B

This remind anyone else of the awesome augmentation in Deus Ex: Human Revolution which allowed Adam to have a HUD?

Sootie

Very cool technology but did anyone else have a strong urge to hurt the irritating hipster in the video?

Technology has gone beyond the human capability to manage it wisely. Abuse may be a culprit here. Access to hi-tek stuff may be like flying without training or license.
This is the slant from a 91 yr. old "world observer".

signed,
Class of 1938.

the king

watch apple beat them to it

Miguel

Ground breaking device, can't wait for test runs on it and where do you buy them?

http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

You can only pre-order them at google I/O. They cost 1500 dollars and will ship in 2013. I pre-ordered 1 for Ron. They actually charge your credit card later so there is no risk for anyone at the conference.